Pay Day Hawaii

Last week was America Saves Week, and we hope that some of you made the pledge to start saving this year. If you haven’t, you can do so here.

To keep the momentum going, we’ve put together a list of easy ways you can save. Remember to set your savings goal!

• Save your loose change
• Wait before you make an impulse purchase. Think about it overnight.
• Get a receipt for everything you purchase. Look them over at the end of the week, and see where you could have saved a few dollars.
• Do a savings match for each non-essential thing you buy. Coffee at Starbucks? Put a matching $3.00 into your savings stash.
• Shop clearance items first.
• Keep track of sales. Get store print circulars, sign up for email notifications, and ask store staff.
• Sign up for customer rewards programs: Maika’I Card at Foodland, Safeway’s Club Card, or Cartwheel at Target. http://cartwheel.target.com/. You’ll get points that will turn into discounts or credits, and additional coupons.
• Don’t shop without a coupon! Always check online for coupons to the store you’re going to be shopping in. RetailMeNot is a good place to start.
• Shop in bulk, if it makes sense for your family.
• If you don’t have a membership to a warehouse club like Costco, see if any of your friends or family members are, and go with them on their next shopping trip.
• Buy a regular coffee instead of a latte.
• Buy one fewer soda per week or day, and set that money aside.
• Stop smoking.
• Bring your lunch to work.
• Eat out one fewer time per week or month.
• Make a list before you go grocery shopping.
• Don’t go shopping while you are hungry.
• Buy store brands instead of name brands.
• Eat vegetarian once a week or more.
• Start a vegetable and herb garden.
• Cook extra and freeze for later.
• Shop around for gas—if you have a smart phone, use an app like Gas Buddy to see what’s cheapest close to you.
• If you can, have your doctor prescribe generic rather than brand-name drugs.
• Know your health insurance. Annual visits and other well-care services are free under the Affordable Care Act.
• Do you have a spare bedroom or extra space in your garage? Rent it out!
• Make sure to know and monitor your data usage and minutes on your phone, and don’t go over your limit each month.
• Visit your local library: You can borrow books, e-books, and DVDs for free, participate in many free entertainment programs, use computers, use copying services, take classes, and read newspapers and magazines. It’s also great for seeing what’s going on in the community.
• You’ll find bargains in entertainment at concerts at colleges, high schools, and even churches.
• Don’t go to shopping centers for entertainment!
• Clean out your closet, and sell what you can. Donate the rest for a tax deduction.
• Cut the cord—go cable free! Compare the cost per month of cable service vs. Netflix, Amazon, or Hulu Plus: Each of those run around $10 per month, vs. $70 to $130 for basic or premium cable.
• Make sure to turn off lights and appliances that you are not using. Use a power strip—some devices, like television sets, stay “on” even though you’ve turned them off on the device.
• Cancel unused memberships or services. Do you have a gym membership that you never use? A magazine you never end up reading?
• Keep your car in good shape: Keep tires at the correct air pressure, and oil checked and replaced.
• Pay your bills on time and avoid late fees.
• Use an online bill payment service from your bank, or pay your bills using PayDayHawaii’s Billpay with Western Union.
• If you use a bank or credit union, start a savings account and have the bank transfer a set amount into each month.
• If you don’t use a bank but a service such as PayDayHawaii, have a set amount loaded on to your pre-paid debit card when you come in each month to pay bills or use another service.
• Only use the ATM of your own bank—otherwise you’ll get charged up to $3.00.
• If your bank is charging you fees each month just for your checking or savings accounts, it’s time to shop around for free accounts or alternative ways to manage your money.

Questions? Stop by any PayDayHawaii location for more information and services, and help with solutions to your money management problems.